President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea approved the dismissal of Kim Hyung-seok, the director of the Independence Hall, bringing an end to an administrative process that began one month prior. This decision follows the board of the Independence Hall's approval of the dismissal recommendation on October 19, which was based on findings from a special audit conducted by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs last September. The audit revealed several misappropriations by Kim, including the misuse of corporate funds and improper operations of the memorial hall in favor of friends.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs had issued a report following the audit that highlighted 14 accounts of misconduct by Kim, including allowing unauthorized access to restricted areas of the hall for acquaintances. Kim challenged these findings, but the ministry rejected his appeal and recommended his dismissal, which the Independence Hall's board subsequently accepted. This led to the formal recommendation for his removal being presented to President Yoon at the beginning of the month.

Kim, appointed under the Yoon administration, has previously faced criticism for controversial historically inaccurate statements that sparked public outrage, and calls for his resignation intensified following revelations of his misuse of the hall's facilities. His dismissal reflects the broader scrutiny of public officials' conduct in South Korea and points to ongoing tensions surrounding historical narratives in the country, particularly regarding the colonial period and its aftermath.